"The Freezer on Fulton" | |
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| Address | 130 West Fulton Street |
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| Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 42°57′44″N85°40′19″W / 42.96222°N 85.67194°W /42.96222; -85.67194 |
| Owner | Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority |
| Operator | SMG |
| Capacity | Ice Hockey: 10,834 Arena Football: 10,618 Basketball: 11,500 Concerts: 13,184 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | February 8, 1995[1] |
| Opened | October 8, 1996 |
| Construction cost | $78 million[2] ($156 million in 2024 dollars[3]) |
| Architect | Rossetti Architects[4] |
| Structural engineer | McClurg & Associates, Inc.[4] |
| Services engineer | URS Greiner, Inc./Henderson[4] |
| General contractor | Hunt/Erhardt Joint Venture[4] |
| Tenants | |
| Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) (1996–present) Grand Rapids Hoops (CBA) (1996–2001) Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL) (1998–2009) Grand Rapids Gold (NBAGL) (2022–present) Grand Rapids Rise (PVF) (2024-present) | |
| Website | |
| vanandelarena | |
Van Andel Arena is a multi-purposearena situated in theHeartside district ofGrand Rapids, Michigan, United States. The arena attracted over five million patrons in its first 5 years, 1996–2001. It serves as the home of theGrand Rapids Griffins of theAmerican Hockey League and theGrand Rapids Gold of theNBA G League. It is also, as of January 2024, the home of the Grand Rapids Rise of the Pro Volleyball Federation.[5][6] Seating 10,834 forice hockey and up to 13,184 forconcerts, Van Andel Arena is the fourth-largest arena in Michigan, as well asWest Michigan's largest; onlyLittle Caesars Arena inDetroit, theJack Breslin Student Events Center inEast Lansing, andCrisler Center inAnn Arbor, Michigan, are larger.
After a $78 million construction effort, the arena opened on October 8, 1996. The 12,000 plus seat arena is managed byASM Global. It was named in recognition of the largest benefactors,Jay and Betty Van Andel.[2]
It is home to theGrand Rapids Griffins of theAmerican Hockey League, the top minor league affiliate of theDetroit Red Wings, with fans giving it the nickname "The Freezer on Fulton".[5] It is also home to theGrand Rapids Gold of theNBA G League, the minor league affiliate of theDenver Nuggets.[6]
The arena was the home court of the now defunctGrand Rapids Hoops of theContinental Basketball Association from 1996 to 2001 and theGrand Rapids Rampage of theArena Football League from 1998 to 2009.[7]
It has hosted acts such asTaylor Swift,Bob Dylan,Tom Petty,Eric Clapton,Pearl Jam,Green Day,Metallica,Phish,Slipknot,Jack White,Bruce Springsteen,Paul McCartney,Phil Collins,Eagles,Barenaked Ladies,Britney Spears,Janet Jackson,Aerosmith,Ariana Grande,Elton John,Lady Gaga,Demi Lovato,Twenty One Pilots,Roger Waters,The Who,Kiss,Mötley Crüe,Red Hot Chili Peppers,Avenged Sevenfold,Rush,TLC,Marilyn Manson,Kenny Chesney,OneRepublic,Kid Rock,Katy Perry,P!nk,TobyMac,Trans-Siberian Orchestra,For King & Country,Newsboys,[8]Morgan Wallen,[9]The Harlem Globetrotters,World Wrestling Entertainment,All Elite Wrestling,Disney,Disney on Ice,Monster Jam,NCAA Hockey Regional Championships, theAFL ArenaBowl XV game, professional boxing and basketball exhibition games for theDetroit Pistons,Michigan State University Basketball &Grand Valley State University.[citation needed] It also hosted the 2001Big Ten women's basketball tournament.
On October 20, 2001, during a show co-headlining withSlipknot,System of a Down bassistShavo Odadjian was assaulted, racially profiled and escorted out of the arena by security guards working for DuHadway Kendall. He filed a lawsuit in 2003.[10]
On July 20, 2024, former presidentDonald Trump held his first rally in the arena after anassassination attempt one week earlier.[11][12][13] He also held the final rally of his2024 presidential campaign in the arena on November 4 of that year. He similarly ended both his2016 and2020 presidential campaigns at Van Andel as well.[14]
As aconcert venue, the Van Andel Arena seats 12,858 for end-stage shows, and 13,184 for center-stage shows. The arena floor measures 85 by 220 feet (26 m × 67 m) and features 9,886 permanent seats, of which 1,800 are club seats and 44 luxury suites, with the 16 luxury suites in the upper bowl seating 20 each, and the lower 24 bowls seating 15, and the others at 18. In addition, there are 1,300 retractable seats.[citation needed]
ForGrand Rapids Griffinsice hockey games, the arena has a capacity of 10,834.[15]
The arena andGrand Rapids Griffins are featured briefly in a sketch on the comedy showNick Swardson's Pretend Time, in which Nick attempts to propose but is instead repeatedly hit in the face with hockey pucks.[16]
The arena was where Mötley Crüe shot their 2005 Carnival of Sins DVD and was also the setting forSystem of a Down's 2005 music video for their single,"Hypnotize".[17]
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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